GGD-85-29: Published: Apr 4, 1985. Publicly Released: May 10, 1985.

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined: (1) how the U.S. Parole Commission makes parole release decisions in cases involving organized crime figures and major drug traffickers; (2) the completeness of the information supplied to the Commission for its use in making parole release decisions in those cases; and (3) what impact parole and good time have on reducing the period of imprisonment served by organized crime figures and major drug traffickers.

GAO found that the Commission generally follows the same procedures in making parole release decisions for all cases, including those that involve organized crime figures and major drug traffickers. Although actions have been taken to improve the quality of information supplied to the Commission, prosecutors frequently do not furnish complete information to the Commission for its use in making parole release decisions. GAO also found that parole and good time reduce the period of imprisonment for most federal offenders.